RETURN, O wanderer from my side! Soon droops each blossom of the darkening wild, Soon melts each meteor which thy steps beguiled, Soon is the cistern dry which thou hast hewn, And thou wilt weep in bitterness full soon. Return! ere gathering night shall shroud the way Thy footsteps yet may tread, in this accepted day. Return, O erring, yet beloved! I wait to bind thy bleeding feet, for keen And rankling are the thorns where thou hast been; I wait to give thee pardon, love, and rest. Is not My joy to see thee safe and blest? Return! I wait to hear once more thy voice To welcome thee anew, and bid thy heart rejoice. Return, O fallen, yet not lost! Canst thou forget the life for thee laid down, The taunts, the scourging, and the thorny crown? When o'er thee first My spotless robe I spread, And poured the oil of joy upon thy head, How did thy weakening heart within thee burn! Canst thou remember all, and wilt thou not return? Return, O chosen of my love! Fear not to meet thy beckoning Saviour's view; Long ere I called thee by thy name, I knew That very treacherously thou wouldst deal: Now I have seen thy ways, yet I will heal. Return! Wilt thou yet linger far from Me? My wrath is turned away, I have redeemed thee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN EXPOSTULATION by ISAAC BICKERSTAFFE THE LITTLE GIRL LOST, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE ENVOY: 5. TO MY NAME-CHILD by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON NORTHERN FARMER, NEW STYLE by ALFRED TENNYSON BY THE SALPETRIERE by THOMAS ASHE CHOPIN'S NOCTURNE IN G MINOR by ARLO BATES |